By Don Wimpelberg, Editor

Together Achieving Growth was the 2005 District Convention theme. District leaders made sure each Kiwanian carried that message to their clubs and fellow members. This year’s convention offered Kiwanians a glimpse of new programs designed to recruit and build new clubs. The District also held the first Casino Night. Following the Governor’s Banquet, Kiwanians could try their hand at bingo, Texas Hold ‘Em, Roulette, and Blackjack. Over $1500 was raised and will be deposited into the general fund.

Sponsored clubs also got their message out. Circle K, Key Club, and Aktion Club members had opportunities to discuss their clubs with the 300 plus attendees. 

Catherine Wilkinson, Lt. Governor of the South Division, represented Circle K while Circle K Governor Kelly Kingsbury and others were attending the Circle K International Convention in Greensboro, North Carolina. 

Eric Anderson, Key Club Governor from Ottawa High School, gave an outstanding presentation at the opening session.  Eric said we will be hearing about membership growth all weekend and one way that Kiwanis can grow is to build more Key Clubs.  Key Clubbers have parents who need to be a part of Kiwanis.  Key Clubs help Kiwanis complete more service projects and raise more money which helps bring in more Kiwanis members.  All our clubs need an infusion of younger members. 

In the annual meeting Rusty Thomas was officially voted to be endorsed as a candidate for International Trustee during the 2006 Kiwanis International Convention to be held in Montreal.

Rusty  thanked everyone for their hard work and support in her 2005 run for the election of International Trustee.  The idea of running again started in Hawaii.  Rusty said a number of people approached her saying that she needs to do this again.  She said that she had been considering it since the International Convention.   The PAC Committee met on Friday and asked her if she wanted to run again and she accepted the challenge.  Kansas has a good shot at winning next year with the help of some additional districts.  So get out those buttons that say RUSTY FOR TRUSTEE and be ready to support the additional fund raising that it will take next year. 

Max Klamm was nominated and elected as our  Governor-Elect for 2006-2007.  Max will bring the enthusiasm to his role as Governor-Elect. He has 13 years of perfect attendance in his Kansas City club, a distinguished President, was a distinguished Lt. Governor, and chair of sponsored youth.  He is a member of the District TAG Team and has helped build the Leawood and  La Cygne clubs and helped build a K-Kids club.

Professionally, Max is retired from 37 years as a teacher.  Max was born and raised in Abilene and he and his wife are both very active in their church.  They have four children and 8 awesome grandkids.  

Max shared what Kiwanis and the Kansas District means to him as an acronym of his last name:

K – Kiwanis, the #1 service organization.

L – Leader, enjoys being a leader and will provide that leadership for our District.

A – Always There, whatever it takes, he will be there.

M – Meaningful Growth, will help our District grow.

M – Meaningful Service, will continue to stimulate service in our clubs and our communities.

AIM RECIPIENTS

The following Kiwanians were presented an AIM pin on August 13 at the District Convention: 

Chris Link, Bill Donegan, Maureen Donegan, Jim Grant, Rusty Thomas, David Crum, Marti Cole, Jeff Walker, Karen Minks, Marc Potter, Tina Shoemaker, Peter Bellucci, Dallas Macklin, Michael Chapin, Willa Mae Stapleton, Kurt Huschka, Bob Abbott, Janette Mauk, Donna Sue Stuckey, Larry Weaver, Mark I. Johnson, and Robert L. Kiblinger, Evora Wheeler, Joe Paternoster, Arlo Oltman, Arlo Hanson, Larry Weaver, Donna Stuckey, Debbie Pugh, Linda Keller, Cee Heller, Lois Osborn, Bob Abbott, Don Jolley, Dicy Janssen, Dan Soeken, Decky Makings, Amanda Urban, N.M. Patton, Ed Call, John Nelson, Tim Bagby, Richard Lang, Tina Shoemaker, Cynthia Flax, Richard Lamon, Aaron Mackey, Bob Allen, Don Jolley, Jim Malone & Mary Nuss.